According to the dictionary, a document that is legal is a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right. It’s interchangeable with a legal instrument, official document, instrument document, papers, written document or writing that delivers information (especially information of an official nature).

What are some legal documents that are common?

Articles of incorporation – a legal document that creates a corporation; it is filed with a state by the founders of a corporation and is regulated by the laws of the state

derivative instrument, derivative – a financial instrument whose value is based on another security

Negotiable instrument – an unconditional order or promise to pay an amount of money

Passport – a document issued by a state to a citizen allowing that person to travel abroad and re enter the home country

ship’s papers – official papers which a ship is legally required to have; related to ownership, freight, etc.

Show – a bureau of Customs document listing the contents put on plane or a boatDebenture – a voucher or a certificate recognizing a debtpower of attorney – a legal instrument authorizing someone to act as the grantor’s representativeLetters of administration – legal document naming someone when no executor has been named to administer an estate

Letters testamentary – a document that is legal from a probate court or court officer empowering you to discharge those obligations and telling you of your appointmentWork work permit, papers, working papers – a legal document giving information required for employment of certain people in specific countries

act, enactment – a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body

law – legal document setting forth rules governing a specific type of activity; “there is a law against kidnapping”

bill, measure – a statute in draft before it becomes law; “they held a public hearing on the bill”

Brief, legal brief – a record stating the facts and points of law will, of a client’s case testament – a legal document declaring someone’s wishes regarding the disposition of their property when they die

living will – a document written by someone still officially competent requesting that he should be permitted to die if later severely handicapped or suffering terminal illness; “after he discovered he had AIDS he drew up a living will”

Assignment – the instrument by which right or a claim or interest or property is transferred from one person to another

Deed of trust, trust deed – a written instrument legally conveying property to a trustee frequently used to secure an obligation like a mortgage or promissory noteconveyance – document effecting a property transfer

income tax return, return, tax return – document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer’s tax liability; “his gross income was enough that he’d to file a tax return”

License, permit, licence – a legal document giving official permission to do something

Letters patent, patent – an official document granting a right or privilege

judgement, legal opinion, opinion, ruling – the legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision; “opinions are often written by just one judge”

acquittance, release – a legal document evidencing the discharge of a debt or obligation judicial writ, writ – (law) a legal document issued by a court or judicial officer

authorisation, authorization, mandate – a document giving an official instruction or command

Affidavit – written declaration made under oath; a written statement sworn to be true before someone legally authorized to administer an oath

written agreement – a legal document summarizing the agreement between partiesImpeachment – a formal document charging a public official

arraignment – a legal document calling someone to court to answer an indictment law, jurisprudence – the set of rules imposed by authority; “civilization presupposes respect for the law”; “the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order”

Most criminal and civil cases originate in the Courts of Common Pleas, which likewise serve as appellate courts to the district judges and for local agency decisions. The Superior Court hears all appeals from the Courts of Common Pleas not expressly designated to the Commonwealth Court or Supreme Court. In addition, it has original jurisdiction. The Commonwealth Court is limited to appeals from final orders of certain state agencies and certain designated cases from the Courts of Common Pleas. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the final appellate court. All judges in Pennsylvania are elected; the chief justice is dependent upon seniority.

Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic areas of the United States, and the Great Lakes Region. The state boundaries Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada and New Jersey to the east. Pennsylvania is the 9th most densely populated of the 50 United States, the 6th most populous, and the 33 rd most considerable. The four most populous cities in the state are Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie. The state capital is Harrisburg.